Disquaire Day (Record Store Day) Grows in France

France celebrated a growing Record Store Day (translated as "disquaire day") for the second year on April 21st, 2012. 176 stores took part of the event, against 104 in 2011; and for the first time, some twenty stores from Belgium, Switzerland and Luxembourg participated.

One-hundred-and-fifty exclusive records (rarities, collectors items, etc.) were put on sale for the occasion with fifty of them coming from French artists. That's also a marked improvement over last year with ten of 2011's 40 titles coming from the national repertoire. Some French artists involved this year were Camille, Revolver, Gotan Project, Izia, François and the Atlas Mountain, Mina Tindle and La Grande Sophie.

Some of the record retailers showcased live performances, including such well-known French singer-songwriters as Miossec and Gaetan Roussel.

Several partners, such as Media Brand and Paris City Hall supported the initiative. Other brands involved included Fred Perry, which invested around €85,000 and iDTGV (a brand of national train transporter SNCF) which put-up €15,000, according to David Godevais, director of Calif, the organization behind Disquaire Day.

The revenue impact of RSD would appear to be growing. While figures for 2012 have yet be unveiled, Godevais is very optimistic on the increasing economic impact of the event, announcing €140,000 in revenue solely from exclusive records. In 2011, €30,000 of the €300,000 in total revenue came from exclusives.

"Most of the record shop owners stress Disquaire Day brings them new customers, and that a large share of them come back [after that day]," says Godevais.

Launched in 2002 and mostly funded by State or regional money, Calif is an independent labels organization designed to support and enhance the independent record stores in France.